Welder for wire mesh fabrics



Nov. 30,` 1948. c. c. wlcKwlRE WELDER FOR WIREMESH lFABRICS nvetorCharles C.Wi.ckwre Filed July 2o, 1948 Patented Nov. 30, 1948 WELDER FORWIRE, MESH FABRICS Charles C. Wickwre, Cortland, N. `Y., assgnor toWickwire Brothers, Inc., Cortland, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication July 20, 1948, Serial No. 39,785

This invention relates to machines for welding square meshed fabrics,and provides a machine which lays a continuous weft wire back and forthon a warp and welds it to the warp wires as it is laid.

The operation of the machine here disclosed is similar to that of themachine described and claimed in my allowed application Serial No.618,461, filed September 25, 1945, now Patent No. 2,451,423 datedOctober 12, 1948. In the machine of the allowed application an elongatedrectangular frame embraced the warp and carried two pairs of rollerelectrodes which were energized alternately as the frame moved inopposite directions, so that only the trailing pair was energized. Theweft wire was led between the upper two electrodes, so asto be rolleddown on the warp and welded by the trailing electrodes.

Thus the signicant aspect of the allowed application is thecharacteristic of welding the weft wire as it is laid. The presentapplication covers `a similar apparatus having the same characteristlc.

According to the present invention the two lower roller electrodes areeliminated in favor of a copper electrode bar which extends transverselyunder the warp and supports the warp throughout its width. The two upperrollers cooperate electrically with the bar in alternation as the framereciprocates and carries them back and forth across the warp. Only thetrailing roller electrode is energized.

Since the present invention diiers from that of the allowed applicationonly in the electrode mechanism the illustration is conned to thatfeature. The warp spool stand, warp tension devices, the cloth beam andthe take up are conventional or show in the prior application, and soneed not be illustrated.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation oi the mechanism which supports the electrode barand supports and guides the roller electrodes in cooperative relationtherewith. p

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the roller electrode mechanism, viewed fromthe back, relatively to Fig. 1 and drawn on Aa slightly larger scale.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the brush mechanism and the detent usedto latch the switch which controls energization of the rollerelectrodes.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the wire guide bar and conductor barassembly.

The supporting structure comprises longitudinal side frames 6 connectedby cross frames one 6 Claims. (Cl. 219-4) ,springs I6.

2 of which appears at 'I in Fig 1. Offset outward from side frames 6 andcarried thereby are uprights 8. 'Ihese carry at their upper ends, andinsulated from the uprights, a horizontal conductor bar 9 through whichelectric current is supplied to the roller electrodes. One lead from thegenerator is connected to the bar but is not illustrated.

Fixed to uprights 8 are four guide members II in which a horizontallyelongated rectangular frame I2 is guided to reciprocate in a horizontaldirection.` The frame in the form here illustrated encircles the warp,hereinafter described, and its internal length is more than twice theWidth of the warp so that reciprocation of the frame can carryelectrodes mounted at midlength of the frame over a path longer than theentire width of the warp. In Fig. l portions of the frame are broken outto reduce the width of the gure.

A conductor bar I5 which serves as the lower electrode is mounted at itsends in insulating verticalguide brackets I3 and its vertical positionat each end may be adjusted by stop screws I4 against which the ends ofthe bar are held by In this way the bar is accurately positioned underconditions which permit it to yield downward on occasion. The adjustmentis such that the springs assure adequate clamping of the warp and weftby the electrodes.

Attached to bar I5 is a bar I'I having uniformly spaced holes forguiding wires in positions tangent to the top of bar I5. Each holeguides a warp wire W, so that the bar I1 has aspects of similarityto thereed commonly used in looms. Its eiect is to hold the warp wiresproperly spaced and in contact with bar I5, which is the lower weldingelectrode of the machine. In practice the other lead from the generatoris connected to bar I5 but this lead also is omitted from thedrawing.

Mounted on the upper member of frame I 2 and projecting upward therefromare frame members I8 which carry a housing I9, in which brushes 2| areyieldingly mounted so as to be forced firmly against conductor bar 9.

Below frames I8 and projecting downward from the upper member of frameI2 are two conducting brackets 23 on which are journaled the rollerelectrodes 22. The rollers are equal in size, spaced only a shortdistance apart and are positioned immediately above electrode bar I5.They may have shallow peripheral grooves to aline the filling (weft)wire which enters between them.` To guide and coni-lne the wire, flatinsulating plates 24, spaced apart a little more than the diameter ofwire F, are freely fitted to the peripheral contour of the rollers andfill the interval between the two rollers. They denne a slot in whichthe wire may swing into engagement with one or the other electrode asthe frame I2 reverses direction.

Pivoted at 2B to frame I2 and electrically insulated from brackets 213is a switch yoke 25. The yoke has a pendant nger clearly visible in 2which strikes a stop and shifts the switch yoke at each limit of travelof frame I2. `The yoke -2-5 carries a bowed spring member .whichaor-,dstwo switch contractors 21. 'Ihese selectivelyengage correspondingbrackets 23 as the yoke I25 is reversely tilted.

To hold the contacts rmlyin theirirespective circuit-closing positions arather long insulated detent arm 28 is fixed to yoke 25 and isimpositively held in its two opposite positions by ydetent grooves inplate 2-9. Theyplate isfmounted below 'box IS andlloaded-by bow springAdinstable switch .trips '.32..are mounted on uprights -8 in position toengage the pendant finger en yoke and lreverse the switch v.asIra-me I2arrives at one yor the other .o-:its limiting positions A'cable .3'3connects brush boxdzS and consequentlyqbar with the switch contactmember 2T. Asythe frame reverses .the 'trailing .electrode is energizedljust before the -wireswings against it.

To vreciprocate frame -I2 :use is made of Ytwo horizontally spaced:parallel sprocket shafts/ 34, `one of whichisdriven La tfuniformgspeed.The other. is nsuallyan idler. 4rIhese turn in bearings andcarrysprockets T36. Af-chain .3l -ru-nson the sprockets Iand carries e.roller lug whichlis confined 4in .a `slotted yoke .39,.-pendant vfromythe lower member of frame I2.

`This mechanism reciprocates the lrame .I2.-at uniform speed except atreversal when themetion is harmonic and .consequently-favonable tosmooth reversal.

The mechanism for supplying-the lwarpwires, and :feeding them a ,uniformdistance at each Ireversalof the frameY I2 `is not involved asfavfnovelfeature in the present invention and :sois-not here illustrated. Anywarpieedor take-upthat will feeda desired .distance .leach time-frame I2reverses may be used and many are known. lThe arrangement shown inmyprior applicationis used with only minor changes.

The frame or carriage I2 reciprocates v.and carries therollerelectrodesone trailing 4the other in a path parallel with the barI5. The warp wires are guided in parallel .paths so rasato be on top .ofbar i5. The warp is fed forward onewe-ft interval each time the carriageI2 lreversesits motion.

The weft wire leads between the rollers and is rolled down onthewarpwires by-t-heytrai-lingone of the two electrode rollers. Thevvelectrode iban-t5 is so adjusted vertically .that rthe trailing rollerholds the 'weft wire against the .warp .wires .with just the .rightpressure to eiect welds. `'Ifhere is no weft wire beneath the vleadingelectrode .roller, so this moves idly. Reversal of @direction draws `theweft wire against the new :trailing-(former .adjacent `bar I 'I assure.the :most :precise-spacing of thewarp wires.

The :bar I5 .can .be adjusted werticallyewhile .the

`maelsiine fis in .operation This facilitatesprecise setting. Adjustmentof the lower (rollerl electrodes in the prior machines required themachine to be at rest.

Since only the upper electrodes move, the electrode carrier can bevariously designed. I prefer the rectangular frame encircling the warp,because it can .be accurately guided and easily driven, but its useinthis machine has not the importance it had in my prior machine.

.. The drive for the reciprocating frame is extremely simple and hasexcellent motion characteristics.

I claim:

1. In a fabric-welding machine including a w-eldingcircuit, thecombination of a bar electrode forming part of said circuit; means for4.positioning .a `warp made up of a plurality of wires in a chosenspaced relation on said electrode with :the warp wires extendingtransversely of the electrode; a movable electrode carrier; means forguiding .saidy carneriny a .path parallel .with .said bar .electrode and.spaced therefrom; means for reciprocating .said carrier in said path`.with .an 4anflplitude somewhat .exceeding thewidthofisaid warp; a pairof spaced, alined 'rollerelectrlodes yjournaled on .parallel axeson saidycarrier sothat vtheir .rolling peripliieries. 4are opposed. to .said.bar ,electr-.ode and are spaced therefrom suiciently .to pass over the.supported .by the .b ar electrode;means-tor-supplying a continuous weftwire to the. interval between .said roller electrodes, so .that it .willvbe engaged .bythe trailing .onepf .saidroller electrodesandprogressively rolled into contact with .successive .warp wires;.switching means for selectively interposing said V,roller l.electrodesVin said welding circuit; .and means effective .as v an.incidenttoreversal-of. motion of said..carrier to shift .said switch means, thearrangement beingsuch .that the .trailing .eletrode is interposedinthe.circuit and .seri/.esto weld the weft to the .wiarp .as it rolls itfintopositlnn `.therecn 2. The combination defined in claim 1 in .whichyielding means are :providedto induceapproach 4,of .the bar. electrodeand roller electrodes toward one ,another and stop. means serve to limitsuch approach.

3. lThe combinatioi-rdened in claim l in which the-,har .electrode is-,yieldingly mounted .at each vend and biased .to movetoward the path`ofthe .roller ...electrodes and independently Aidj'llstable stops areprovided at ,each end to limit motion 4.ofthe ,bar .electrode inresponse'tosaidbias.

.4. lThe combination de'inedin claim 1 Vin which Hthe meansiorvpositioning thewarp comprises a wire guiding bar ,adjacent the barelectrode and provided .with a row of spaced holes each of .which guidesa corresponding warp .Wire into tangency with the working f ace .of theelectrode bar.

.5. The-.combination dened in claim lin which the bar .electrodeisyieldingly mounted at each end and biased to move toward the path of theroller electrodes, and vindependently adjustable .stops areprovided ateach end 'to-limit motion `01"..the bar electrode 1in response to saidbias and the means 'for positioning the warpcomprises a wire guiding bar Iprovided witha row of spaced holes each of whiCh guides acorresponding 'warp wire into .tangency with the working lface of theelectrode bar, said wire guiding bar being at- .itachedto4 thefelectrode bar4 .and `adjustable therewith.

. 6 combinationdened in .claiml in which .the .electrode .b ar .isadjustable andthe meansior 2,455,346 i s i e positioning the Warpcomprises a wire guiding bar REFERENCES CITED attached directly to theelectrode bar so as to be adjustabletherewith the wire guiding .barhaving lrhf fgmgtgeferences are of record m the spaced holes each ofwhich guides a, corresponding warp wire into tangency with the working 5UNITED STATES PATENTS face of the electrode bar. Number Name DateCHARLES C- WCKWIRE- 2,234,403 Marquart May 26, 1942

